Group launches campaign against chained dogs

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to launch a billboard campaign in western Iowa addressing the practice of chaining up dogs. A ten-year-old Westphalia boy was badly injured this month when attacked by a chained 100-pound chow-mix dog at a relative’s home. PETA’s Dan Paden says such incidents can be avoided. Paden says the attacks are easily preventable. He says dogs need to be taken off of chains and brought inside the home so the animals get the care, physical attention and social attention they need. Logan Rogers was playing with his cousin on September 19th. Rogers was mauled by the dog when the boy tried to retrieve a ball that fell near the dog. Rogers was life-flighted to an Omaha hospital for treatment and plastic surgery. He’s still recovering. Paden says PETA has written to Shelby County leaders, recommending they consider an anti-chaining ordinance. Paden says the practice of chaining dogs makes them more aggressive and creates a public welfare concern as well as an animal welfare concern. He says PETA wants to get the message out by carrying out a special billboard campaign. Paden says at least 14 children in the U.S. have been attacked by chained dogs in the past four months and since then, at least eight jurisdictions have passed anti-tethering ordinances. The western Iowa boy needed more than 50 stitches and 15 staples in his head, shoulder, back and side.